The Upbeats and Noisia Collide in a “Shibuya Pet Store”

Sep 06, 2018Chris Muniz

The first release from the Upbeats’ crowdfunded No Sleep ‘Til project hits the streets tomorrow, and it’s a big one! Featuring the legendary Noisia, “Shibuya Pet Store” is no ordinary collaboration, but one that fans helped create—by donating money to fly a wide range of producers to various cities around the globe to make some music with the Upbeats.

As the title suggests, “Shibuya Pet Store” features Noisia linking up with the Upbeats in Japan—but no matter where in the time-space continuum this came together, by now you’re just wondering if the tune is any good. Trust when we say this one is a deadly heater that makes the entire project worth whatever coins you scrounged up to help the crew make it happen.

Easing into things with a psychedelic retro vibe that gives way to a playful yet urgent, stepping groove, the energy on this one slowly comes together until the floor drops out, leaving listeners in the midst of a trippy and hypnotizing freefall that swirls its way to the drop. Perfect for the long, dark nights still to come this fall and winter, the freak-out shivers knock down the doors and give way to a solid groove and funky vibe that keeps things popping from start to finish. As expected with such a heavyweight crew in collab mode, the layers are where the action is at, as each subtle detail and intricate piece of the sonic puzzle comes together in an exquisite way.

We can’t wait to see what the crew has cooking with Halogenix and Emperor in Iceland for the rest of the EP, which hits shelves October 5. For now, we’ll have to dig in to the choice cuts that Noisia is helping deliver in the first of what is shaping up to be an epic series.